State of Texas Benefits

There are many benefits to working for the State of Texas and with the Texas Department of Insurance.

Health insurance for new employees to the State of Texas is effective the first day of the month following their 60th day of employment. After this time, the state pays 100 percent for a full time employee's health coverage and one half the premium for part-time employees. Dependent coverage is also available and the state pays part of the premium. Other insurance benefits include dental coverage, disability coverage, term life and accidental death and dismemberment. There is no waiting period to enroll in this coverage. Full time employees earn 96 hours of sick leave each year of state service and will earn a minimum of 96 hours a year of annual leave. As employment service continues, an employee's annual leave accrual increases and the employee may also be eligible for longevity pay. The State Auditor's Office maintains the State Holiday Schedule.

State employees are required to participate in the retirement program. The employee contributes 9.5% of their gross salary to the retirement program, and the state contributes an equal amount. The contributions are combined when the employee retires. The retirement program and insurance program are administered by the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). Supplemental retirement plans are also available through a Deferred Compensation Plan (457) and Texa$aver (401K) as well as a Roth option for both plans.

The Texas Department of Insurance has some benefits unique to the agency. These non-monetary benefits presently include flexible work hours, compressed work weeks, longevity service and other recognition awards and an employee assistance program. TDI also offers employees participation in the Texas Legal Protection Plan (TLPP) an employee-paid legal insurance program.

For more information, call the Texas Department of Insurance Human Resources office toll-free at 1-800-578-4677.

Location - Another Perk

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is located in the Hobby State Office Building at 3rd and Guadalupe Streets in the heart of Austin's downtown "warehouse" district, two blocks from Town Lake and its natural environment of hike- and-bike trails. Within short walking distance of the building are many different types of restaurants, coffee houses, and shops. Also close by are banks, the U.S. post office, public library, gyms, dry cleaners, and other conveniences.

The State Capitol and other government offices are a short drive away or are accessible by public transportation including Capital Metro bus service and the MetroRail from Leander to downtown. Employees will find several bus stops within walking distance around the Hobby Building. For route details or assistance, please visit Capital Metro at http://www.capmetro.org.

The Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) is approximately three minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport at 7551 Metro Center Dr., Suite 100 (one block from the intersection of Riverside Drive and Ben White Boulevard). The expansive building houses DWC as well as the Office of Injured Employee Counsel (OIEC). The entire facility is nestled by a lengthy hike-and-bike trail as well as several neighboring hotels and office complexes. A Capital Metro bus stop is located one-half mile from the building.

TDI also maintains field offices around the state. TDI's Windstorm division has offices along the Texas coast in Angleton, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, and LaMarque. TDI's Financial program has offices in San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston. The State Fire Marshal's Office also has employees stationed throughout the state. In addition, for assistance with workers' compensation claims, there are 20 walk-in field offices to serve the public: Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ft. Worth, Houston East, Houston West, Laredo, Lubbock, Lufkin, Midland, San Angelo, San Antonio, Tyler, Waco, and Weslaco. All claims-related information is maintained in a separate facility at the Records Center in Austin.

Parking

Visitor parking is available on a limited basis on the first level (P1) of the underground parking garage under the Hobby Building. Access to this parking is on the Guadalupe Street side of the building. Additional metered parking spaces are located on 4th Street, Guadalupe and Lavaca.

Parking for TDI employees is available in the parking garage below the Hobby Building or the state garage one block west of the Hobby Building. Parking is assigned at time of employment.